The two ways to connect your iPhone to a TV

You can connect your iPhone to a TV in two ways: AirPlay, which is wireless and works with any Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV, and HDMI, which uses a cable and works with any TV that has an HDMI port. AirPlay is faster to set up if your TV supports it. HDMI requires a physical adapter but works on older TVs and doesn't depend on your WiFi network staying stable.

Both methods let you mirror your iPhone screen — meaning everything you see on your phone appears on the TV — or send just video and audio from specific apps like Netflix or YouTube. The method you choose depends on what TV you own and whether you want to use a cable.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is wireless and works when ready if your TV or Apple TV is on the same WiFi network as your iPhone.
  • HDMI requires a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter (for older iPhones) or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15 and newer), plus an HDMI cable.
  • Mirroring sends your entire iPhone screen to the TV; app-specific casting sends only video from that app.
  • If AirPlay doesn't appear in Control Center, your TV either doesn't support it or isn't on the same WiFi network.

Connecting with AirPlay (wireless, no cable)

AirPlay works if you have an Apple TV device, or a smart TV made by Samsung, LG, Sony, or Vizio from roughly 2018 onward. Check your TV's manual or settings to confirm it has AirPlay built in. Make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same WiFi network — this is the most common reason AirPlay doesn't show up.

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Look for a button labeled "Screen Mirroring" or an icon that looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, wait a moment for your TV to appear in the list, then tap your TV's name. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If you want to send audio only — for example, to play music through your TV's speakers — tap "AirPlay Audio" instead of "Screen Mirroring" if that option appears. Some apps like Spotify and Apple Music let you choose the TV as an audio destination without mirroring your screen.

Connecting with HDMI (wired, works on any TV)

HDMI works with every TV made in the last 15 years. You need an adapter that matches your iPhone model: iPhones from 6 through 14 use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter, and iPhone 15 and newer use a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. Both are available from Apple or third-party makers like Belkin for $15 to $30. You also need a standard HDMI cable, which costs $5 to $15.

Plug the adapter into your iPhone's charging port. Connect the HDMI cable to the adapter on one end and to an HDMI port on your TV on the other. Turn on the TV and switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the cable — use your TV remote to find it, usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3. Your iPhone screen will appear when ready.

HDMI mirroring drains your battery faster than AirPlay because the adapter draws power. If you plan to use it for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power while it's connected. The image may appear slightly zoomed or cut off at the edges on some TVs — this is normal and usually adjustable in your TV's picture settings.

Sending video from apps instead of mirroring your whole screen

Many apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and others — have their own "Cast" or "AirPlay" button built in. This sends only the video from that app to your TV, leaving your iPhone free to use for other things. You can browse the web, text, or check email while the show plays on the TV.

Look for a rectangle with a WiFi symbol, a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle), or an AirPlay icon inside the app itself, often in the top or bottom corner of the video player. Tap it and select your TV. The video will start playing on the TV while your iPhone returns to normal use. This method only works with AirPlay or apps that have built-in casting — it doesn't work with HDMI.

Troubleshooting when AirPlay doesn't appear

If you don't see "Screen Mirroring" in Control Center, first check that your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap WiFi, and note which network you're connected to. Then check your TV's WiFi settings — the exact steps vary by brand, but usually you go to Settings or Network on the TV remote. Both devices must show the same network name.

If they're on the same network and AirPlay still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV or Apple TV. Then try Control Center again. If your TV is very old or doesn't have AirPlay, it straightforward won't appear — in that case, use HDMI instead.

If AirPlay appears but won't connect, move your iPhone closer to the TV or router. Walls, microwaves, and other WiFi devices can weaken the signal. If the connection keeps dropping, switch to HDMI, which doesn't depend on WiFi at all.

What to do if your TV doesn't have HDMI ports

Older TVs sometimes have only composite (red, white, yellow cables) or component (red, green, blue cables) inputs instead of HDMI. You can still connect an iPhone using an adapter that converts HDMI to one of these older formats. Search for "HDMI to composite adapter" or "HDMI to component adapter" online — they cost $15 to $40 and work with any iPhone model.

Plug the Lightning-to-HDMI or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to it, then connect the HDMI-to-composite or HDMI-to-component adapter to the other end of the cable. Plug the colored cables into your TV's matching ports. The setup is more complicated, but it works the same way as a direct HDMI connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my TV is on a different WiFi network than my iPhone?

No. AirPlay requires both devices on the same network. If your TV is on a guest network and your iPhone is on the main network, switch your iPhone to the same network as the TV. Some routers let you name the guest network the same as the main one, which can cause confusion — check your router settings if you're unsure which network you're on.

Does HDMI work with all iPhones?

Yes, but you need the correct adapter for your model. iPhones 6 through 14 use Lightning-to-HDMI. iPhone 15 and newer use USB-C-to-HDMI. iPhone 5s and older use a 30-pin connector and need a different adapter. Check your iPhone's charging port to confirm which type you need.

Can I charge my iPhone while using HDMI?

Not with a straightforward HDMI adapter. You can buy a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter with a separate charging port, or use a powered HDMI adapter that plugs into an outlet. These cost more but let you charge while mirroring. Standard adapters draw power from your iPhone, which drains the battery.

Why does my screen look zoomed in or cut off on the TV?

This is called overscan and happens on some older TVs. Use your TV remote to find the picture settings — look for options like "Zoom," "Aspect Ratio," or "Overscan" — and adjust until the full iPhone screen is visible. The exact menu location varies by TV brand.

Can I use AirPlay and HDMI at the same time?

No. Your iPhone can only send to one display at a time. If you have both an Apple TV and an HDMI cable connected, you'll need to choose one in Control Center or disconnect the cable.